Car-coupling



(No Model.)

E. R. BROWN. GAR COUPLING.

2221 9 a 2 11 m I -10 19 a II .1

i0 2'? -W/TNESSES: m

.75 M iii the coupling.

Unrrno STATES EDWARD R. BROWN, OF TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA.

CAR-COUPLING.

$PECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 542,141, dated July 2, 1895.

Application filed August 8, 1894- Serial No. 519,740. (No model.)

To ail whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD R. BROWN, of Tallahassee, in the county of Leon and State of Florida, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oar-Couplin gs, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in car-couplings of the automatic type, and more particularly to a style wherein a bail-link and a gravity-pin are employed to couple with a similar link on a mating or other kind of carcoupling.

The objects of my invention are to provide novel features of construction that will afford a superior car-coupling of the character indicated, which will be automatic in the matter of connection with another coupling of the conpling in place on a car-frame shown in Fig. 2 is a sectionalside View on the part. line 2 2 in Fig. 1, showing the forward part of Fig. 3 is a sectional side view of the car-coupling on the line 3 3 in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a sectional side view of the forward portion of the device on the same line as Fig. 3, showing working parts in changed adjustment; and Fig. 5 is a transverse partly-sectional view of forward portions of the coupling on the line 5 5 in Fig. 1.

In the drawings, 10 indicates the longitudi nal portions of the car-frame at either end of the car, and which serve as supports and con nections for the working parts of the improvement with the main portions of the car-coupling.

The draw-head 11, which is located, as usual, near the median line of the car-frame, as shown in Fig. 1, is made substantially rectangular edgewise, and comprises a metal block having a suitable thickness to afford necessary strength, said block being longitudinally chambered, as at 11, of such proportionate dimensions as will adapt the draw-head to receiveand allow a limited rocking motion for the 'U-shaped coupling-link 12.

The looped link mentioned is preferably formed of a metal bar, bent as shown in Fig.

1, so as to give its staple-bent front end a sub-- stantially oval form to facilitate its correct engagement with a cylindrical coupling-pin, the major portions of the U-shaped link extending in parallel planes, afiording two similar limbs 12*, whereon ring-eyes l2 are formed that have their apertures opposite each other. The chamber 11 is flared from rear to front between its top and bottom Walls, and the front corners of the four walls of the chamber are rounded to facilitate the insertion of a link, such as 12; or, if desired, an ordinary endless link may be freely introduced, the entrance of either style of link being effected above the one that is a part of the coupling entered by such a part of another coupling.

The draw-head 11 is loosely connected to the frame-pieces 10 by the transversely projectingtruunions 13, that may be integral portions of the draw-head or be secured to its side edges. These trunnions having a suficient length freely enter and occupy opposite perforations in the frame-pieces, and are preferably provided in pairs that all occupy the same vertical plane, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 5.

The two pairs of pins or trunnions 13 are loosely engaged with longitudinally-extending channels formed in the inner faces of the parts 10, said channels being located in parallel horizontal planes, so that the draw-head may slide endwise a limited degree and slightly rock on its trunnionsif the latter are afforded a sufficient looseness in the channels they are located in. By providing pairs of superposed trunnions the rocking movement of the draw-head is limited.

The eyes 12 that are formed on the ends of the U-shaped link 12 are slid on the pintlebolt let that is transversely secured in forwardly-proj ecting parallel end portions of the cross-head 14, said cross-head consisting of a mainly rectangular block having the limbs TCO 14:, just mentioned, and also provided with a cylindrical carrier-rod 15, that aids to support the cross-head and projects rearwardly there from at its center. The carrier-rod is encircled by a strong spiral spring 15, that occupies a socket which is produced in the transverse piece 10 of the car-frame.

The position of the socket occupied by the spring permits the cross-head 14:, pintlebolt 1st, and link 12 to reciprocate when the link is intermittingly pressed upon at its looped front end. As shown, an adjustablecollar 15 is located on the rod 15, that by its adjustment affords means to graduate the tensional force of the spring 15, as a rearward movement and securing of the collar will compress said spring and increase its resistance to a rearward movement of the draw-head 11, cross-head 14, and pintle-bolt 14, the draw-head being thus cushioned to resist the impact ofanother draw-head. A supplementary spring-cushioning device is provided and is placed between the draw-head 1i and cross-head 14, this consisting ofa pair of guide-rods 16 that are secured by their rear ends in the yoke-block 16, and forwardly project in parallel planes, these rods being placed an equal distance from the center of the block 16. The forward portions of the springs 1d that are mounted on the rods 16 loosely engage sockets formed for their reception in the draw-head 11, these-springs having a bearing at their ends on the yokeblock 16, and bottoms of the sockets in the draw-head through which the free ends of the guide-rods loosely and centrally project, as shown in Fig. 3.

The springs 1G"press,the draw-head forwardly until the trunnions 13 impinge the front ends of the channels they occupy, which projects the draw-head 11 a proper degree in advance of the frame-pieces 10, as shown in Fig. 1.

The yoke-block 16 is grooved at. its center of thickness across its rear edge for the loose engagement of the block with the cross-bolt 14: to maintain the yoke-block in engagement with the cross-head 14. The frame-pieces 10 are preferably reinforced rearwardiy of the draw-head 1.1 bya metal frame 17, (sectionally shown in Fig. 3 and partly in Fig. 2,) said frame having parallel top and bottom walls that are sul'liciently separated to admit the cross-head and yoke-block between them and allow these parts to freely reciprocate in service.

At the transverse center and near the front end of the draw-head ll a cylindrical hole is vertically formed in the same and counterbored of a proper depth from the top side, as shown at 18 in Fig. 3.

A heavy-headed coupling-pin 19 is loosely fitted in the counter-bored hole 18, which pin has the top of its head 19 sloped rearwardly and downwardly at an angle of about fortyfive degrees, as shown in Fig. 3, and, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 5, said pin-head is laterally widened to give it an oval form, and the counterbore 18 correspondingly formed to allow the pin and its head to be vertically reciprocated.

As shown in Fig. 5, the coupling-pin head is projected farther at one side of the pin-body than on the opposite side to permit a vertical perforation to be formed in said projected portion and adapt the pin-head. for a loose engagement with the guide-bar 20. The part 20 consists of a preferably cylindrical bar that is return-bent at a proper point intermediate of its ends, producing two spaced parallel limbs, onelimb having a foot'piece 20, formed on it at a right angle to the limb it is produced on, which foot is bolted on the draw-head at a point near the counterbore 18, so as to allow the other and longer limb of the guide-bar to depend vertically, passing loosely through the perforation of the coupling-pin head and having its lower terminal secured in the drawhead at the bottom of the counterbore, as represented in Fig. 5.

It will be seen that by the construction and arrangement of parts as described the coupling-pin 19 will be adapted to freely slide in the hole it is loosely located in and its head 19 be prevented from rotation, so that the slope or incline on the piu'head willalways lie at the rear side of the counterbored portion of the pin-hole.

Suitable bracket-boxes 21 are formed on or secured to the top wall of the draw-head 11 near its front end, these being spaced apart near one side of the latter to permit the loose introduction between them of the heavy tilting-block 22, which block is laterally pivoted to said boxes near its lower endthat is, farthest from the front end of the draw-head the relative position of said tilting-block being clearly indicated in Figs. 1 and 2.

From the upper edge of the forwardly-inclined tilting block' 22 an arm is laterally projected in a horizontal plane, which arm extends toward the coupling-pin, and has a forwardly-projectcd lip on the end that is nearest said pin, as shown at 23, the lip being adapted to bear on the sloped portion of the pin-head when the latter is upwardly moved, and also receive the head of the pin, as shown in Fig. 4, to hold the latter elevated. From the top edge of the inclined tilting block 22 a pusher-limb 2 is forwardly and downwardly extended through an aperture in the front wall of the d raw-head, the length of the limb mentioned being so proportioned that it will project a short distance in advance of the draw-head when the tilting block is in normal adjustment or forwardly and upwardly inclined.

A chain 25 or other flexible connection is extended upwardly from the-head ofthe coupling-pin 19 and may engage any suitable support on the end wall of a car that will permit the chain to be branched and receive manipulation in the usual way from the roof or side of the car having the improvements.

In operation it will be seen that if the coupling-pin is drawn upwardly a suflicient distance the lip of the arm 23 will be engaged by the slope on the pin-head, and the arm with the tilting block be moved rearwardly and upwardly, so that the lip will slide offof the head of the pin and fall forwardly resting on the pin body, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, thus becoming a support for the elevated pin. When another car-coupling is made to impinge the projected end of the pusher-limb 24 and cause a rearward-rocking movement of the tilting block 22 the pin 19, that has been retained in elevated adjustment by the engagement of the lip 23, will fall by its gravity and assume the position indicated in Fig. 3, and it will be evident that if a bail coupling-link, such as 12, or a common link has been thrustinto the draw-head chamber from another car-coupling,the dropping ofthe pin will serve to couple two cars having the improvements, or secure a common coupling link in the improved draw-head 11.

As the draw-head 11 is spring-cushioned and also arranged to receive a limited vertical rocking movement, and the link 12 is permitted to rock slightly in the chamber of the draw-head, different heights of the drawheads' on cars is compensated for, and a coupled engagement is readily effected between cars having the improved coupling if the difference in the elevation of the drawheads from the track is 'not excessive.

' It is claimed for this improvement that it affords safety to those in charge of making up trains, is inexpensive to manufacture, and reliable under all conditions of service, and that its adoption will not entail a very heavy outlay at once, as the improved coupling will work well in connection with any style of carcoupling now in use that will admit of the use of a common link. It is also observed that upon the removal of the trunnions 13 the draw-head and all the parts of the coupling aredisconnected from the car. Thus'repairs are very easily made if necessary.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and'desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a car coupling, a drawhead forwardly spring-pressed and having two pairs of trunnions that engage longitudinal channels in supports for the drawhead which adapt said drawhead to receive a limited sliding and rockingmovement,substantiallyas described.

2. In a car coupling, the combination with a supporting frame on a car, of a forwardly chambered drawhead that is constructed to rock and. slide against spring-pressure, and a bail link pivoted at its ends on a connecting device of the drawhead with the frame, substantially as described.

3. In a car coupling, the combination with a car frame, of a rocking spring-pressed drawhead recessed to admit a link, a pivoted bail link, a gravity actuated pin, and a device that holds the pin elevated until dropped by percussion of another drawhead at the front, substantially as described.

4. In a car coupling, the combination with a supported drawhead, a pivoted coupling link and a gravity pin sloped on the head of a tilting block pivoted on the drawhead and having an arm that the sloped pin-head rests on when elevated, and a pusher limb extended forwardly from the tilting block exteriorly of the drawhead to project in advance thereof and receive the impact of another drawhead, substantially as described.

5. In a car coupling, the combination with a supporting frame on a car,-of a trunnioned drawhead that is longitudinally chambered, a crosshead having a supporting slidable carrier rod extended at the rear and engaging the frame, a spring on the carrier rod pressing the crosshead forwardly, a bail link pivoted in the drawhead chamber and on the crosshead, a coupling pin, and a device adapted to support the pin elevated until struck by another car coupling, substantially as de-" scribed.

6. In a car coupling, the combination with the supporting frame on a car, a chambered drawhead trunnioned on the frame and ar ranged to slide on said trunnions, a spring cushioning device at the rear of the drawhead, and a bail link pivoted at its ends on a cross bolt that engages the cushioning device, of a headed coupling pin vertically reciprocal near the front of the drawhead, and a latching device actuated by gravity, and hooking under the head of the pin so as to hold itelevated till dropped by the impact of another drawhead, substantially as shown and described- '7. In a car coupling, having a gravity actuated vertically slidable coupling pin, a guide on which the pin is mounted to slide and holding it against rotation the pin supporting and releasing device, comprising the tilting block pivoted to forwardly incline on the drawhead, an arm on said block engaging a sloped side of the pin-head and hooking under said pinhead when the coupling pin is elevated, and a pusher limb forwardly projected from the tilting block, and adapted to receive the impact of an approaching draw-head, substan tially as described.

8. 'The combination of the slidable drawhead, the spring-pressed slidable cross-head at the rear thereof, a spring interposed between the drawhead and the cross-head, and the link pivoted to the cross-head and extending through the drawhead to project in advance thereof, substantially as described.

EDWARD R. BROWN. Witnesses:

COUNCIL A. BRYAN,

l GRIZELLE BASSETT. 

